1. Momentum
While Tipperary looked extremely impressive in their dismissal of Cork, Kilkenny no doubt benefited from a far sterner test against Limerick in the semi-final. Tipp cruised through the final 20 minutes of their win over the Rebels, and they enjoyed an average winning margin of over 11 points per game with wins over Galway, Offaly, Dublin and Cork.
While Galway pushed them to the pin of their collars two months ago, will the lack of a serious challenge since then catch up with Tipp, just like it did the Dublin footballers last Sunday?
2. Gleeson’s puck-outs
Kilkenny will be well aware how much hay Darren Gleeson made with his short puck-outs against Cork in the semi-finals. Cork’s forwards were three or four yards off their men, allowing the Tipperary half-backs plenty of space to look for short balls from Gleeson in a goalkeeping performance Donal Óg Cusack described as the best he had ever seen.
Cody will have his players push right up on Tipperary and deny them the space to gain a foothold to lump ball into the full-forward line.
3. Midfield battle
There’s no doubting the midfield battle will go a long way to determining the winner on Sunday. Richie Hogan, a leading contender for Hurler of the Year, and Conor Fogarty will go up against Shane McGrath and James Woodlock who scored six points from play in a completely dominant display against Cork.
Hogan’s switch to midfield has reaped serious benefits for Kilkenny this year but he will face his biggest battle in centre-field to date today. Whoever gains the upper hand in the midfield stakes will go a long way to helping their side lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
4. Goals win games
The old adage is as true as ever today. Tipp’s forwards have been on fire in the championship and they’ve racked up some huge scores to date. Callanan’s goal threat in particular is Tipp’s biggest threat, while John O’Dwyer, Lar Corbett and Noel McGrath are all well capable of finding the net. Tipp have scored 14 goals in the championship to date, while Kilkenny have scored 13.
The Cats, with Richie Power, Walter Walsh, TJ Reid and Colin Fennelly all capable of raising the green flag, are notorious for putting away teams with goals when they present themselves. It may come down to whichever defence holds tight and ships the least goals today.
5. History
Recent history favours the Cats. Tipp have won just two All-Irelands in 22 years and just four in 42 years. In the opposite corner, Henry Shefflin is aiming for his tenth medal today. Cody seems to have Tipp’s number, having been victorious in every big game against the Premier County apart from that final in 2010.
But just like this year, in 2010 Tipp arrived through the backdoor while Kilkenny were Leinster champions. Every year Kilkenny have failed to reach the All-Ireland in the Cody era (2001 & 2005), they’ve come back and won it the following September.
